It's been a few weeks since I posted. With the onset of cooler weather, Thanksgiving Holidays, kids home, etc - too many distractions. Most of the outdoor stuff is wrapping up, but the weather has been nice enough that it is hard to stay in the shop.
Since I last posted, I have removed everything from the bed ( gear box, apron, carriage, etc. ) cleaned and painted the bed, carriage, cross and compound. I am not going to put the gear box back yet, I don't need it right away and it really needs some TLC. As does the apron, but it is servicable with a good cleaning. It is really dirty and hasn't seen oil since the war as far as I can tell. Yuck. Soak in parts cleaner, pick out the swarf, a couple cans of brake cleaner and re-oil it. Reassembled. Good to go for now.
I found the main sources of error. Both cross and compound slides had worn brass nuts, and the cross screw was worn out ( again for lack of oil ). Replacements were ordered, and a repair section for the lead screw, plus all new felts for the whole machine.
A friend helped machine the screw for me, loctited together - good as new. With the new nuts and good cleaning, each slide only has a couple thousandths free play. Besides the bed wear, the other source of error was the flat head screws that hold the rack were loose. A couple were sticking up and hitting the carrriage as it went by lifting it. there are witness marks on the screws and on the bottom of the carriage. Now, even with the wear, the flatness over most of the travel is within about 0.004". Not bad.
Rewired the AC input with modern PVC wiring and a real power cord ( not an appliance extension cord ), remount the headstock after a quick cleaning and lube, lace the flat belt - bingo, she runs again!
Back to the mill to modify the base for the new tool post. The toolpost comes with a generic block to mount the thing, but it needs to be machined to fit the compound. The aluminum block below is for the old Enco tool holder that came with my lathe. The black steel block is the one for the QC post. It is shown after milling it to width, but I quit for the day before cutting the slots to fit the inverted T mount on the compound. Tomorrow maybe....
Since this lathe came with an old style toolpost, a little searching turned up a decent upgrade. An Aloris style quick change tool post, but an imported Phase II. It was on sale at Enco. Coupled with a one day 25% VIP sale with free shipping, a no-brainer.
Also found on EBay, a replacement cover with an intact original brass lubrication plate for less than a reproduction plate.
Plus, a cast knob to replace a missing one on the base front door.
The lathe:
Like almost everything else, I needed one. ( actually wanted is more accurate )
To make a long story somewhat short - a couple years, lots of searching on CL and EBay, landed a possible lead on something local. Not really what I wanted, but a Hardinge of some sort. As a last check, search one more time - BAM! Exactly what I was looking for and also local? No way. Emailed, called again the next AM - small world. I knew the guy, works at the same place I do. Yes, short story, looked at it, put a deposit down, picked it up a few days later. ( on or about October 27th )
South Bend 10L ( aka Heavy 10 ) circa 1940's short bed cast base. ( ad pics from CL )
Old, used, but well cared for.
Getting into my garage was much easier than getting out of the seller's basement. It would have been impossible if we had not disassembled it first. Even so, the base with the motor was the worst. Strapped to hand cart, it took the best of both of us to get it up the stairs. It was an Advil day to say the least.
The bed and carriage were strapped to the 2x4 skid, easy two person carry. The headstock and other stuff was boxed separately.
Cleanup a little before re-assembly, it's got to look nice...
Will need to create a little floorspace, then get some help to lift the bed assembly back up. It needs some attention, but it will be much easier at work height than on the floor.
